CITGO Q Mart Stores Brighten the Holiday Season for Local Children in Need

SHEBOYGAN, Wis., Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, CITGO Q Mart stores across Sheboygan are collecting toys and games for needy children as part of the Salvation Army Toy Drive. Area motorists can drop off new, unwrapped toys and games at six CITGO Q Mart stores, as well as the Quality State Oil headquarters at 2201 Calumet Drive in Sheboygan through Dec. 20. Donated toys, along with cash contributions, will be given to the Salvation Army and distributed to needy children across the community. CITGO Q Marts and Quality State Oil hope to collect more than 500 toys this year to ensure that hundreds of needy local children experience the joy of the holiday season.

"The CITGO Q Mart Stores in Sheboygan have strong ties to our customers and community so we feel it's our responsibility to do what we can to help those in need," said Mel Krajniak, manager of the South 8th Street CITGO Q Mart who is coordinating the toy drive. "With the support of our generous customers and our local fuel supplier, Quality State Oil, we hope to brighten the holidays for local children who might otherwise go without. The holiday spirit is very much alive in Sheboygan and we encourage everyone to do what they can to help those in need."

The 2010 toy drive, in coordination with the local chapter of the Salvation Army, is one of many programs organized by CITGO Q Mart Stores and their local supplier, Sheboygan-based Quality State Oil. In the past year, they have raised more than $60,000 in support of the local efforts of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), earning them The CITGO President's Award for charitable contributions. CITGO Q Marts' support of MDA is directed to local families and helps children with neuromuscular disease attend local summer camps.

"It is heart-warming to partner with such passionate members of our company and community, like Mel and other Q Mart employees, as we answer the local Salvation Army's call for support," said Scott Stangel of Quality State Oil. "With their leadership and the support of our customers and community we have the power to make a difference in the lives of local families. Year in, year out, Mel and others remind us of the true meaning of the holidays. I look forward to breaking last year's collection record and helping to deliver hundreds of toys and games this holiday season."

Quality State Oil and Q Mart Stores are joined in their support of the Sheboygan community by CITGO Petroleum Corporation. In alignment with the principles of social development of the CITGO shareholder, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, CITGO and its network of nearly 6,500 locally owned CITGO stations provide support and inspiration to communities across the country 365 days a year.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.